rbi mon policy 2010 nov

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Date:Nov 02, 2010 Second Quarter Review of Monetary

Policy 2010-11By

Dr. D. SubbaraoGovernor

Introduction

This Second Quarter Review is set in the context of a mixed backdrop of persistent sluggishness in advanced economies apositive signals from emerging market economies (EMEs). While recovery in advanced economies has slowed in the secohalf of 2010, EMEs continue to show strong growth. The fragile and uneven nature of the recovery and large unemploymentadvanced economies raise concerns about the sustainability of the global recovery, which has prompted the InternationMonetary Fund (IMF) to project a lower world GDP growth of 4.2 per cent in 2011 as compared with 4.8 per cent in 2010.

2. The rising concerns about the slowing momentum of recovery have prompted the central banks of some advanceconomies to initiate (or consider initiating) a second round of quantitative easing to further stimulate private demand. Whthe ultra loose monetary policy of advanced economies may benefit the global economy in the medium-term, in the short-teit will trigger further capital inflows into EMEs and put upward pressure on global commodity prices.

3. On the domestic front, economic activity is firmly in place. The 8.8 per cent GDP growth for Q1 of 2010-11 suggests ththe economy is operating close to the trend growth rate, driven mainly by domestic factors. The South-West monsoon wnormal which should boost agricultural output and rural demand. Most industrial and service sector indicators also potowards sustained growth.

4. Notwithstanding some moderation in recent months, headline inflation remains significantly above its medium-term trenWhat is of concern is that while non-food manufactured products inflation has stabilised, food inflation has not shown th

expected post-monsoon moderation. Persistently rising food prices even in the wake of a normal monsoon raise concerabout the structural nature of food inflation and its consequent impact on inflationary expectations. Further, when the economis growing close to trend, the risks of structural food inflation spilling over into prices of other commodities are significant athat could potentially offset the recent moderation.

5. This statement is organised in two parts. Part A covers Monetary Policy and is divided into four sections: Section I providan overview of global and domestic macroeconomic developments; Section II sets out the outlook and projections for growtinflation and monetary aggregates; Section III explains the stance of monetary policy; and Section IV specifies the monetameasures. Part B covers Developmental and Regulatory Policies and is organised in six sections: Financial Stability(SectiI), Interest Rate Policy (Section II), Financial Markets (Section III), Credit Delivery and Financial Inclusion (Section IVRegulatory and Supervisory Measures for Commercial Banks(Section V) and Institutional Developments (Section VI). Partof this statement should be read and understood together with the detailed review in Macroeconomic and MonetDevelopments released yesterday by the Reserve Bank.

Part A. Monetary Policy

I. The State of the Economy

Global Economy

6. In its World Economic Outlook released in October 2010, the IMF revised upwards its forecast for global growth 2010 from 4.6 per cent to 4.8 per cent. However, the estimate for the second half of the year is significantly lower than for t


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first. Moreover, the growth process remains uneven being driven largely by emerging and developing countries. In advanceconomies, the recovery continues to be fragile as private demand has not picked up sufficiently to offset the waning fiscstimulus.

7. In the US, growth remained sluggish in the third quarter of 2010. Household spending is constrained by hiunemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth and tight credit. The economic recovery in Japan has al

moderated recently as reflected in slowdown in industrial production and growth in exports. On the other hand, economactivity in the Euro area is showing signs of resilience in the aftermath of the sovereign debt problems in May-June 201though at an uneven pace across the region. Growth in the EMEs continues to be strong, led mainly by domestic demand bsupported by exports.

8. Inflation rates in advanced economies remain subdued due to high level of slack in resource utilisation and hiunemployment. In the US and Japan, inflation rates are significantly below desired levels providing a rationale for centbanks to provide further stimulus through quantitative easing. In sharp contrast, EMEs are witnessing rising domestic demawhich is beginning to generate inflationary pressures. These could be aggravated by significant increases in commodity pricdriven by investment flows into these markets. Inflation is a growing concern in several EMEs.

Domestic Economy

9. Indias growth of 8.8 per cent in Q1 of 2010-11 suggests that the recovery set in the second half of 2009-10consolidating. The normal South-West monsoon and its delayed withdrawal have boosted the prospects of both kharifarabiagricultural production.

10. Industrial growth has been robust, although apparently with a significant increase in volatility. The year-on-year increain the index of industrial production (IIP) varied in a range of 5.6 to 15.2 per cent during AprilAugust 2010, with an average10.6 per cent. Industrial growth was high in the capital goods, consumer durables and intermediate goods sectors. While tvolatility raises concerns about a deceleration, other indicators of economic activity suggest continuing momentum. Exporhave grown steadily during the first half of 2010-11, showing an increase of 27.6 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Based on an analysis of a sample of 2,546 non-financial companies, private corporate sector sales rose by 24 pcent year-on-year in Q1 of 2010-11. Early results of corporate performance indicate sustained sales growth and improvprofitability in Q2 of 2010-11. Direct tax collections, as reflected in advance taxes paid in September 2010, rose by 16.5 pcent over last year. Similarly, indirect tax collections during the April-September period were 43.1 per cent higher than in t

corresponding period of 2009.

11. The buoyancy in various service sectors witnessed in the second half of 2009-10, has continued this year as well. Tlatest quarterly industrial outlook survey conducted by the Reserve Bank indicates improvement in the overall busineconditions. Other business conditions surveys also indicate a similar trend. While the Reserve Banks survey on capacutilisation indicates that there is a small decline in utilisation at the aggregate level, several sectors appear to be facicapacity constraints, resulting in increased imports.

12. On the inflation front, the new series of wholesale price index (WPI) released on September 14, 2010 is a betrepresentative of commodity price levels with an updated base (2004-05=100) and wider coverage of commodities. Whinflation at the aggregate level does not show much variation over the medium-term between the old and new series, theare significant differences in inflation at the disaggregated level. As per the new WPI series, the year-on-year inflatimoderated to 8.5 per cent in August 2010 and 8.6 per cent in September 2010 after remaining in double digits during Marc

July 2010. At a disaggregated level, inflation in primary articles, especially food articles, in the new series has beesignificantly higher than in the old series, whereas for manufactured products, it has been somewhat lower.

13. During 2010-11, although the year-on-year primary food inflation moderated from 21.4 per cent in May 2010 to 15.7 pcent in September 2010, the moderation was not commensurate with patterns following a normal monsoon on previooccasions. This is partly a reflection of the growing importance of protein-rich items in the consumption basket for which priincreases have been large. The year-on-year inflation rate in protein-based food items such as pulses, milk, eggs, fish ameat (with a combined weight of 6.4 per cent in WPI basket), peaked at 34 per cent in May 2010 and remained very high 23.9 per cent in September 2010. Inflation in the other primary food articles (weight: 8.0 per cent) moderated from 14.0 p


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cent in June 2010 to 9.4 per cent in September 2010, more visibly reflecting the impact of normal monsoon on prices of macereals, fruits and vegetables. In sum, despite some moderation, overall food price inflation remains at an elevated level. Tyear-on-year inflation as of September 2010 was also high for certain primary non-food articles such as raw rubber (57.4 pcent), sugarcane (53.3 per cent) and cotton (27.5 per cent). The rise in cotton prices reflected global trends.

14. Focusing on the manufacturing sector, the year-on-year WPI non-food manufactured products (weight: 55.0 per ce

inflation increased from (-) 2.0 per cent in September 2009 to a peak of 5.9 per cent in April 2010, before moderating to 5per cent in September 2010. Non-food items inflation (WPI excluding food products and food articles), which was (-) 2.9 pcent in September 2009, rose sharply to 9.2 per cent in April 2010 before moderating to 7.8 per cent by September 201Non-food items (weight: 75.7 per cent) contributed 65.5 per cent to WPI inflation in September 2010, up from 40.5 per centJanuary 2010.

15. Inflation based on CPI for industrial workers has moderated to single digit since August 2010 after remaining in doubdigits for 13 months. However, the various CPI baskets still reflect the consumption pattern of the mid-1980s and 2001 whichave a relatively higher weight for cereals, whereas more updated (2004-05) WPI basket suggests that food consumption hshifted towards protein-rich items where price increase has been high. To that extent, CPI baskets understate the underlyinfood inflation.

16. Money supply (M3) growth moderated from 16.8 per cent on a year-on-year basis at end-March 2010 to 14.5 per cent

end-May 2010 before increasing to 15.2 per cent by October 8, 2010. At this level, it was below the indicative projection17.0 per cent for 2010-11. The lower M3 growth essentially reflected the moderation in growth in bank deposits, particulalong-term deposits. Furthermore, currency growth has been higher than deposits growth which reduced the money multiplithereby lowering M3 growth. A contributory factor to this trend has been negative real interest rates on deposits, which hainduced depositors to both hold currency and invest in non-financial assets, including gold and real estate, whose prices hashown significant increases over the course of the current year.

17. Non-food credit growth accelerated from 17.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis at end-March 2010 to 22.3 per cent July 2, 2010, reflecting in part the higher credit demand emanating from telecom spectrum auctions. Although it moderated20.1 per cent as of October 8, 2010, it was in line with the indicative trajectory of 20 per cent for 2010-11 set out in tMonetary Policy Statement of April 2010. Even after adjusting for spectrum auction related advances, growth in bank creduring the current financial year so far has been in line with the long-term trend. Disaggregated data suggest that year-oyear credit growth to large industries, including infrastructure (especially power and telecom), and housing sectors improv

significantly. The increase in bank credit to the commercial sector was also supplemented by the higher flow of funds froother sources. Rough estimates showed that the total flow of financial resources from banks, non-banks and external sourcto the commercial sector during the first half of 2010-11 was higher at `4,85,000 crore, up from `3,29,000 crore during tsame period of previous year.

18. On the lending side, the Base Rate system replaced the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) system with effefrom July 1, 2010. Base Rates of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) were fixed in the range of 5.50-9.00 per ceSubsequently, several banks reviewed and increased their Base Rates in the range of 1050 basis points by October 201Base Rates of major banks, accounting for over 94 per cent in total bank credit, are in the range of 7.50-8.50 per cent. Banhave also raised their BPLRs in the range of 25-75 basis points for their old loans.

19. Liquidity conditions, which remained tight between end-May 2010 and July 2010 due to huge outflow of liquidity frothe system, eased in August 2010. After alternating between surplus and deficit for a brief period, the Liquidity Adjustme

Facility (LAF) window of the Reserve Bank has remained in an injection mode since September 9, 2010 with an average danet injection of around `24,000 crore in September and `61,700 crore in October 2010 and a peak injection of `1,28,685 croon October 30, 2010. While the injection mode in the LAF window has been consistent with the stated policy stance, the shachanges have largely been due to significant increases in government cash balances, which stood at `77,736 crore as October 30, 2010.

20. With a view to alleviating frictional liqudity pressure, the Reserve Bank on October 29, 2010 decided to conduct secoLAF (SLAF) and also allowed scheduled commercial banks to avail of additional liquidity support under the LAF to the exteof up to 1.0 per cent of their NDTL as on October 8, 2010. In view of the likely persistence of the frictional liqudity pressu


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and in order to provide liquidity comfort, these measures have been extended up to November 4, 2010.

21. Both the increases in lending rates by the banking system and liquidity conditions are consistent with the monetapolicy stance of reining in inflation. Tight liquidity conditions are helping to strengthen the transmission from policy rates commercial lending rates, and the process is becoming much more transparent through the operation of the Base Rasystem. As desirable as these conditions may be from the viewpoint of inflation management, there are legitimate concer

that the deficit, as reflected by borrowings under the LAF in recent weeks, is significantly in excess of the Reserve Bankcomfort zone of (+/-) one per cent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) of banks. The high level of government balanceindicates that the tight liquidity situation is likely to ease to some extent as the Government draws down its balances in thcoming weeks.

22. On the basis of large spectrum auction realisations, buoyant tax revenues and in anticipation of significant inflows frodisinvestment during the current year, the Government announced that it would pare its market borrowing by `10,000 crorethe second half of the financial year. Further, on October 21, 2010, as a part of its cash management operations, tGovernment, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, announced the repurchase of government securities amounting `28,553 crore maturing during 2010-11. The repurchase operations would be funded through the surplus cash balancesthe Government. In the first tranche, repurchase of securities for an aggregate amount of `12,000 crore was notified a`2,148 crore was accepted in the auction held on October 26, 2010.

23. The increase in the overall revenue realisation of the Government during the current year is a welcome developmentvirtually eliminates the possibility of the fiscal deficit overshooting the budget estimate. Fiscal consolidation is important fonumber of reasons, including the fact that monetary policy works most efficiently, particularly when it is dealing with ainflationary situation, when the fiscal situation is under control. Several things are important to make the fiscal consolidatieffort credible and effective. The focus must be as much on expenditure restructuring as on revenue augmentation, recurriexpenditure commitments should not be made against one off revenues such as from disinvestment and the quality adjustment should not be lost sight of.

24. The combination of liquidity conditions and revised government borrowing estimates have had contrasting impacts the yield curve. At the short end, as the LAF window operated in deficit mode, the overnight interest rates were generaclose to the ceiling of the LAF rate corridor during September-October 2010, even exceeding it on occasions in response sudden surges in demand. However, at the long end, the announced reduction in net borrowing of the Central Governmehad a downward impact on government bond yields, as the 10-year benchmark government security yield fell to about 7.

per cent in early October 2010 from a high of 8.07 per cent in August. Yields have risen again recently, reaching a high 8.14 per cent on October 20, 2010, reflecting the tightening of liquidity conditions.

25. Domestic equity prices firmed up significantly in recent weeks due to large inflows from foreign institutional investo(FIIs), driven by better domestic growth prospects and a surfeit of global liquidity. The foreign exchange market, whiwitnessed a significant increase in net inflows beginning September 2010, has remained orderly with the rupee showing twway movements in the range of`44.03 `44.74 per US dollar during October 2010.

26. During 2010-11 so far (October 22, 2010), the rupee appreciated by 0.4 per cent on the basis of trade based 3currency real effective exchange rate (REER). The extent of appreciation was, of course, higher on the basis of 6-currentrade based REER (3.1 per cent) reflecting both the nominal appreciation of the rupee against the US dollar during this periand the higher inflation differential with major advanced countries. Since the 36-currency REER includes the currencies many countries which are Indias direct competitors in the global market, it is a better reflection of the impact of glob

exchange rate movements on competitiveness. The relatively small appreciation in this index reflects the fact that macompeting countries have also seen their currencies appreciate during this period. From this perspective, the impact of trecent nominal appreciation of the rupee may not have a significant implication for competitiveness.

27. The continuing sluggishness of the global economy led to some moderation in exports growth and invisible receipwhile import growth accelerated due to the strong domestic recovery. Consequently, both the trade deficit and the curreaccount deficit (CAD) widened in Q1 of 2010-11. If the current trend persists, CAD as a percentage of GDP will significantly higher than in the previous year. It is generally perceived that a CAD above 3 per cent of GDP is difficult sustain over the medium-term. The challenge, therefore, is to rein in the deficit over the medium-term and finance it in t


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short-term. The medium-term task has to receive policy focus from both the Government and the Reserve Bank. The shoterm task is to see that the current account is fully financed while ensuring that capital flows are not far out of line with teconomys absorptive capacity and that the component of long-term and stable flows in the overall capital flows is high.

II. Outlook and Projections

Global Outlook

Growth

28. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF has projected global growth to slow down from 4.8 per cent in 2010 to 4per cent in 2011. Various indicators of economic activity in advanced economies point to deceleration of growth in the secohalf of 2010 which could persist through the first half of 2011. The room to provide additional fiscal stimulus to support thgrowth process remains constrained due to debt sustainability issues in some major advanced economies. Reflecting globlinkages, the slowdown in the global recovery will have an adverse impact on growth in EMEs, including India, especiathrough the trade channel.

Inflation

29. Inflation in advanced economies in the short-term is expected to remain subdued due to the prevailing low levels capacity utilisation and high unemployment rates. However, the recent upward movements in international commodity pricedespite prospects of slow global recovery, raise some concerns. Several EMEs are already facing inflationary pressureFood, energy and metal prices, in particular, have seen significant increases. The upward risk to inflation, therefore, hincreased for EMEs, both from rising domestic capacity utilisation and from global commodity price increases.

Domestic Outlook

Growth

30. Taking into account the good performance of the agriculture sector, and a range of indicators of industrial productiand service sector activity amidst the prevailing global macroeconomic scenario, the baseline projection of real GDP grow

for 2010-11, for policy purposes, is retained at 8.5 per cent, as set out in the July 2010 review (Chart 1).

31. The Reserve Banks growth projection for 2010-11 is consistent with the median growth forecast from its profession


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forecasters survey and other agencies.

Inflation

32. Although the headline inflation has moderated in recent months, the current rate of inflation is still well above tcomfort zone of the Reserve Bank. The Reserve Banks quarterly inflation expectation survey conducted during the fi

fortnight of September 2010 indicates that short-term household inflationary expectations have increased marginally. Furthenotwithstanding some moderation, food price inflation has remained persistently elevated for over a year now, reflecting part the structural demand-supply mismatches in several commodities - besides protein sources, oilseeds and vegetablalso show this pattern. Given the changing consumption patterns and as yet inadequate supply response, food price inflatiis becoming increasingly structural in nature. Further, even as non-food manufacturing inflation has indeed moderated, it sremains above its medium-term trend.

33. Going forward, the inflation outlook will be shaped by the following factors. First, it will depend as to how food priinflation evolves. Second, rising global commodity prices have become a cause for concern. Third, demand pressures arisifrom sustained growth amidst tightening capacity constraints will have an impact. On balance, inflation is expected moderate from the present elevated level, reflecting in parts, some easing of supply constraints and concerted policy action.

34. In its July Review, the Reserve Bank made a baseline projection of WPI inflation for March 2011 of 6.0 per cent. T

projection was based on the old series of WPI. As has been indicated, there is not much difference at the aggregate level the medium-term inflation trend between the old and new series, but there are significant differences at the group levels. Othe basis of currently available information and the fact that expected moderation in food price inflation has also not fumaterialised, the baseline projection of WPI inflation for March 2011 has been placed at 5.5 per cent, which is equivalent 6.0 per cent under the old series. Effectively, this means that the projection remains unchanged from that made in the Ju2010 Review (Chart 2).

35. The Reserve Bank will endeavour to achieve price stability and anchor inflation expectations. In pursuit of the

objectives, the Reserve Bank will continue to evaluate an array of aggregate and disaggregated measures of inflation in tcontext of the evolving macroeconomic situation.

36. Notwithstanding the current inflation scenario, it is important to recognise that in the 2000s, the average headlinflation rate remained in the range of 5.0-5.5 per cent, down from its historical trend rate of about 7.5 per cent. A combinatiof factors played a role in this transformation. One of these was the commitment on the part of the monetary policy to keinflation low and stable. This record is an important foundation for the credibility of monetary policy and, more generally, tbroader inflation management framework. Against this backdrop, the conduct of monetary policy will continue to condition acontain perception of inflation in the range of 4.0-4.5 per cent. This will be in line with the medium-term objective of 3.0 p


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cent inflation consistent with Indias broader integration into the global economy.

Monetary Aggregates

37. While the year-on-year money supply (M3) growth at 15.2 per cent in early October 2010 was below the indicatiprojection of 17.0 per cent, non-food credit growth at 20.1 per cent was close to the indicative projection of 20.0 per ce

There are already some signs of pick-up in deposit and credit growth. It is expected that monetary aggregates will evolvalong the projected trajectory indicated in the April policy statement. Accordingly, the M3 and non-food credit growprojections for 2010-11 have been retained at 17 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. As always, these numbers aindicative projections and not targets.

Risk Factors

38. The above macroeconomic and monetary projections are subject to a number of upside and downside risks. First, tmain downside risk to growth emanates from the prospects of a prolonged slow and halting recovery process in advanceconomies as evidenced by the recent indicators of global economic activity. Concerns are being expressed that the ongoinfiscal consolidation in the absence of revival of private demand might weigh on the recovery process. Should the globrecovery falter, the growth performance of EMEs, including India which has remained robust so far, is likely to be adverseaffected. While Indias exports as a percentage of GDP are relatively low compared to other major EMEs, a widesprea

slowdown in global trade cannot but have an impact on the manufacturing and service sectors.

39. Second, although overall inflation and non-food manufactured products inflation have moderated in the recent perioinflationary pressures remain which may accentuate for several reasons. Despite the fragile global recovery, internationcommodity prices have risen in recent months due to strong demand from EMEs and some financialisation of commoditidue to large surplus global liquidity. Should there be further quantitative easing by advanced economies, it will pose a furthrisk to global commodity prices. Persistently high domestic food inflation points to the presence of some structural componewhich will continue to weigh on the overall inflation. With the domestic capacity utilisation slowly approaching the pre-crispeak in many industries, demand side pressures may accentuate. Going forward, therefore, the risks to inflation are largely the upside.

40. Third, given the weak recovery in advanced economies, Japan has already resorted to further monetary easing throuunsterilised intervention in the forex market. Some other advanced economies are in the process of resorting to another rouof quantitative easing. Given that growth prospects in EMEs, including India, are much better, the surplus liquidity generatby central banks in advanced economies could flow into the EMEs. In fact, the expectation of further quantitative easing advanced economies has already resulted in large capital inflows to EMEs. As a result, exchange rates have beappreciating and asset prices have been rising in EMEs. Excess global liquidity combined with the significant growdifferential, interest rate differential and higher financial market returns in India vis--vis the advanced economies might leto intensification of capital flows to India. Although India needs capital flows to finance its widening current account deficlarge capital flows beyond the absorptive capacity of the economy could pose a major challenge for exchange rate amonetary management.

41. Fourth, Indias current account deficit has widened in the recent period due to slowing down of exports and invisibles the one hand and rising imports on the back of strong rebound of the domestic economy on the other. Although the curreaccount deficit has been easily financed by the rising capital flows so far, the widening of the current account deficit raisconcerns given the uncertainty associated with international capital flows.

42. Fifth, asset prices in India, as in many other EMEs, have risen sharply. The equity market is close to its previous atime peak level. Residential property prices in metropolitan cities have gone beyond the pre-crisis peak level. Gold prices aruling at an all-time high level. Although the income levels of households and earnings of corporates in India have continuto rise, a sharp rise in asset prices in such a short time causes concern.

III. The Policy Stance


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43. Since October 2009, the Reserve Bank has cumulatively raised the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 100 basis points, athe repo and reverse repo rates under the LAF by 125 basis points and 175 basis points, respectively. The monetary polresponse has been calibrated on the basis of Indias specific growth-inflation dynamics in the broader context of persisteglobal uncertainty.

44. Thus, our policy stance for 2010-11 for the remaining period has been conditioned by three major considerations:

45. First, the domestic economy is on a strong footing. The 8.8 per cent GDP growth for Q1 of 2010-11 suggests that teconomy is steadily regaining the pre-crisis growth trajectory. Although uncertainty persists with regard to global recoveIndias domestic growth drivers are robust which should help absorb to a large extent the negative impact of slowdown global recovery.

46. Second, inflation remains high. Both demand side and supply side factors are at play. Inflationary expectations aremain at an elevated level. Given the spread and persistence of inflation, demand side inflationary pressures need to contained and inflationary expectations anchored.

47. Third, even though a liquidity deficit is consistent with an anti-inflation stance, excessive deficiency can be disruptboth to financial markets and to credit growth in the banking system. To ensure that economic activity is not disrupted liquidity constraints, the liquidity deficit needs to be contained within a reasonable limit.

48. Against the above stated backdrop, the stance of monetary policy is intended to :

y Contain inflation and anchor inflationary expectations, while being prepared to respond to any further build-up inflationary pressures.

y Maintain an interest rate regime consistent with price, output and financial stability.

y Actively manage liquidity to ensure that it remains broadly in balance, with neither a surplus diluting monetatransmission nor a deficit choking off fund flows.

IV. Monetary Measures

49. On the basis of the current assessment and in line with the policy stance as outlined in Section III, the following pol

measures are announced.

Bank Rate

50. The Bank Rate has been retained at 6.0 per cent.

Repo Rate

51. It has been decided to:

y increase the repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 6.0 per cent to 6.25 pcent with immediate effect.

Reverse Repo Rate

52. It has been decided to:

y increase the reverse repo rate under the LAF by 25 basis points from 5.0 per cent to 5.25 per cent with immediaeffect.


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Cash Reserve Ratio

53. The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks has been retained at 6.0 per cent of their net demand and timliabilities (NDTL).

Expected Outcomes

54. These actions are expected to:

i. Sustain the anti-inflationary thrust of recent monetary actions and outcomes in the face of persistent inflation risks.

ii. Rein in rising inflationary expectations, which may be aggravated by the structural nature of food price increases.

iii. Be moderate enough not to disrupt growth.

55. The Reserve Bank will continue to closely monitor both global and domestic macroeconomic conditions. We will taaction as warranted with a view to mitigating any potentially disruptive effects of lumpy and volatile capital flows and shamovements in domestic liquidity conditions, consistent with the broad objectives of price and output stability.

56. Based purely on current growth and inflation trends, the Reserve Bank believes that the likelihood of further rate actioin the immediate future is relatively low. However, in an uncertain world, we need to be prepared to respond appropriatelyshocks that may emanate from either the global or domestic environment.

Mid-Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2010-11

57. The next mid-quarter review of Monetary Policy for 2010-11 will be announced through a press release on Decemb16, 2010.

Third Quarter Review of MonetaryPolicy 2010-11

58. The third quarter review of Monetary Policy for 2010-11 is scheduled on January 25, 2011.

Part B. Developmental and RegulatoryPolicies

59. The recent global financial crisis has underlined the need for fundamental changes in the way banks and financinstitutions are regulated. Important steps in this regard at the international level have been taken under the auspices of G-2Financial Stability Board (FSB) and Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS). The broad elements of emergiframework that have been agreed upon are ring-fencing of banking institutions with more and better quality capital undBasel III, an appropriate framework for systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs), aligning the compensatipractices to prudent risk-taking and long term value creation, and improving the accounting standards, that promote financstability. India being a member of G-20, FSB and BCBS, the Reserve Bank has been actively associated with the evolution

the reform package.

60. The thrust of the regulation by the Reserve Bank in recent years has not only been on strengthening the financsystem, but also on developing financial markets, promoting financial inclusion, improving credit delivery, especially to tsmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector, improving customer service and strengthening the payment and settlemesystems. The Reserve Bank, therefore, will continue to pursue reforms in these areas so as to enhance the efficiency astability of the financial system.

61. A synopsis of the action taken on the past policy announcements together with a list of fresh policy measures is set obelow.


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I. Financial Stability

Financial Stability Report

62. The Reserve Bank conducts macro-prudential surveillance of the financial system on an ongoing basis. Assessmentfinancial stability and the findings thereof are shared with financial institutions, market players and general public in the form

Financial Stability Reports (FSRs). The first FSR was published in March 2010. The second FSR will be published December 2010. Going forward, FSRs will be published in June and December every year.

Assessment of Financial Stability

63. Steps are being taken to strengthen macro-prudential surveillance. Towards this end, more frequent internassessments, including systemic risk monitor reports twice a year, have started. As per the latest internal assessment, tfinancial system at the current juncture is largely stable. The banking sector is sound and the financial sector is considereresilient to shocks emanating from adverse domestic and international developments. However, evolving risks to financstability, both globally and within the country, need to be monitored carefully on an ongoing basis.

II. Interest Rate Policy

Base Rate

64. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, the system of Base Rate came into effect on July 1, 201The transition from the benchmark prime lending rate (BPLR) system to the base rate system has been smooth.

Deregulation of Interest Rate on Savings Bank Deposits

65. As a part of financial sector reforms, the Reserve Bank has deregulated interest rates on deposits, other than savinbank deposits. The interest rate on savings bank deposits has remained unchanged at 3.5 per cent per annum since March2003. Keeping in view progressive deregulation of interest rates, it is proposed:

y to prepare a discussion paper, which will delineate the pros and cons of deregulating the savings bank deposinterest rate.

66. The discussion paper will be placed on the Reserve Banks website by end-December 2010 for feedback from tgeneral public.

III. Financial Markets

Financial Market Products

Interest Rate Futures

67. The Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 had indicated that exchange traded interest rate futures (IRFs) on 5-ye

and 2-year notional coupon bearing Government of India securities and 91-day Treasury Bills would be introduced. It was aindicated that the RBI-SEBI Standing Technical Committee would finalise the product design and operational modalities. Thissue relating to product design was deliberated by the RBI-SEBI Standing Technical Committee. The Reserve Bank wintroduce such IRFs aftertaking into account the experiences of cash-settled IRF regimes in other countries.

Regulation of Non-Convertible Debentures of Maturity Less than One Year

68. It was proposed in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 to issue the final guidelines on the issuance of noconvertible debentures (NCDs) of maturity less than one year by end-June 2010. Accordingly, keeping in view the feedba


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received, the guidelines on NCDs were issued in June 2010, which came into force with effect from August 2, 2010. Tguidelines, among others, covered eligibility criteria to issue NCDs, rating requirement, maturity, denomination, limits aamount of issue of NCDs and responsibilities of corporates, debenture trustees and credit rating agencies.

Introduction of Credit Default Swaps

69. It was indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 that the draft report of the internal Working Group introduction of credit default swap (CDS) for corporate bonds would be placed on the Reserve Banks website by end-Ju2010. Accordingly, the draft report was placed on the Reserve Banks website on August 4, 2010 for public comments October 4, 2010. The comments/suggestions received are being examined by holding wider consultations with all tstakeholders, including corporates.

Repo in Corporate Bonds

70. For development of the corporate bond market, the Reserve Bank had issued guidelines in January 2010, permittirepo in corporate bonds, subject to certain terms and conditions. To further facilitate repo transactions in corporate bonds,review of the guidelines governing repo in corporate bonds has been undertaken by the Reserve Bank in consultation with tmarket participants. Accordingly, it has been decided:

y to permit settlement of repo in corporate bonds on a T+0 basis in addition to the existing T+1 and T+2 basis arevise the repo haircut requirements suitably.

71. Detailed guidelines, which will be effective December 1, 2010, are being issued separately.

Guidelines on Over-the-Counter Forex Derivatives

72. The draft guidelines on over-the-counter (OTC) foreign exchange derivatives were placed on the Reserve Banwebsite in November 2009 for public comments. The feedback received from stakeholders was discussed in the meetingthe Technical Advisory Committee on the Money, Foreign Exchange and Government Securities Markets. On the basis of tdiscussions, the revised draft guidelines on the subject were again placed on the Reserve Banks website in July 2010 for fincomments by August 13, 2010. Comments received from stakeholders were examined and deliberated in the meeting of t

Technical Advisory Committee on the Money, Foreign Exchange and Government Securities Markets. Final guidelines in tlight of the feedback received will be issued by end-November 2010.

Introduction of Exchange Traded Currency Option Contracts

73. It was indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 that the Reserve Bank would permit the recognisstock exchanges to introduce plain vanilla currency options on spot US dollar/rupee exchange rate for residents. In July 201the Reserve Bank permitted trading of currency options on spot USD-INR rate in the currency derivatives segment of trecognised stock exchanges. The currency options market will function subject to the guidelines issued by the Reserve Baand the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) from time to time.

Money Market

WorkingGroup to Review the Operating Procedure of Monetary Policy

74. As announced in the First Quarter Review of Monetary Policy of July 2010, the Reserve Bank, on October 4, 201constituted a Working Group to review the current operating procedure of monetary policy, including the liquidity adjustmefacility (Chairman: Shri Deepak Mohanty), with representations from the concerned departments of the Reserve Bank, IndiBanks Association (IBA) and Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA). The Group alincludes external experts. The Group will submit its report in three months from the date of its first meeting.


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Financial Market Infrastructure

Reporting Platform for Certificates of Deposit and Commercial Papers

75. The reporting platform for secondary market transactions in Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and Commercial Papers (CPdeveloped by the FIMMDA has been operationalised with effect from July 1, 2010. As mandated, entities regulated by t

Reserve Bank, the SEBI and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) are now reporting the OTC tradin CDs and CPs on the FIMMDA platform. FIMMDA is also making available online information on trades in CDs and CPincluding prices, transaction amount and yields.

IV. Credit Delivery and Financial Inclusion

Credit Flow to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sector

High Level Task Force on MSMEs

76. A High Level Task Force constituted by the Government (Chairman: Shri T.K.A. Nair) to consider various issues raisby micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) associations and draw up an agenda for action submitted its report

January 2010. In terms of the recommendations of the Task Force, the Reserve Bank issued guidelines in June 201advising scheduled commercial banks that the allocation of 60 per cent of the micro and small enterprises (MSEs) advancto the micro enterprises was to be achieved in stages, viz., 50 per cent in the year 2010-11, 55 per cent in the year 2011-and 60 per cent in the year 2012-13. Further, banks were mandated to achieve a 10 per cent annual growth in the numbermicro enterprise accounts and a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in credit to the MSE sector. The Reserve Bank is closemonitoring the achievement of targets by banks in this regard.

Rural Credit Institutions

Licensing of Co-operatives

77. The Committee on Financial Sector Assessment (Chairman: Dr. Rakesh Mohan and Co-Chairman: Shri Ashok Chawhad recommended that rural co-operative banks, which failed to obtain a licence by 2012, should not be allowed to opera

Accordingly, it was proposed in the Annual Policy Statement of April 2009 to work out a roadmap for licensing of unlicensestate and central co-operative banks in a non-disruptive manner. For this purpose, revised guidelines, in consultation wNational Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), were issued on licensing of these banks. Subsequent to tissuance of revised guidelines on licensing of state co-operative banks (StCBs)/district central co-operative banks (DCCB10 StCBs and 133 DCCBs have been licensed, bringing down the number of unlicensed StCBs from 17 to 7 and DCCBs fro296 to 163 as on September 30, 2010.

Revival of the Rural Co-operative Credit Structure

78. The Government of India, based on the recommendations of the Task Force on Revival of Rural Co-operative CreInstitutions (Chairman: Prof. A. Vaidyanathan) and in consultation with the state governments, had approved a package frevival of the short-term rural co-operative credit structure. As envisaged in the package, 25 states have so far entered inMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of India and NABARD. Sixteen states have made necessa

amendments to their respective Co-operative Societies Acts. As on August 31, 2010, an aggregate amount of about `7,9crore has been released by NABARD to primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) in 14 states as the Government of Indishare under the package.

Financial Inclusion throughGrass-root Co-operatives

79. It was proposed in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 to constitute a Committee comprising representativfrom the Reserve Bank, NABARD and a few state governments to study the functioning of well-run PACS, large adivasimupurpose co-operative societies (LAMPS), farmers service societies (FSS) and thrift and credit co-operative societies set


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under the parallel Self-Reliant Co-operative Societies Acts to gather information on their working and assess their potentialcontribute to financial inclusion. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank, in association with NABARD and the concerned stagovernments, is studying the working of select (about 220) well-functioning rural co-operatives across the country to assetheir potential to contribute to financial inclusion. The study is expected to be completed by end-January 2011.

Liberalisation in Branch Licensing of Regional Rural Banks

80. As part of further liberalisation of the extant branch licensing policy in respect of regional rural banks (RRBs), itproposed:

y to allow RRBs to open branches in Tier 3 to Tier 6 centres as identified in the Census 2001 (with population up 49,999) without prior authorisation of the Reserve Bank, subject to their fulfilling certain conditions.

81. Detailed guidelines in this regard will be issued separately.

Priority Sector Lending

82. As announced in the Second Quarter Review of October 2009, a Working Group was constituted (Chairman: Shri V.

Sharma) to examine the pros and cons of priority sector lending certificates (PSLCs) as recommended by the Committee Financial Sector Reforms (Chairman: Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan). As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 201the terms of reference of the Working Group were expanded to review the pros and cons of inclusion of bank lending to micfinance institutions (MFIs) under priority sector lending. The Working Group submitted its report in August 2010. Howeveconsidering the more recent developments in the MFI space, a Sub-Committee of the Central Board of the Reserve Ba(Chairman: Shri Y. H. Malegam) has been constituted to examine the various issues relating to micro-finance extended non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) while also taking into account the recommendation of the Sharma Working GrouThe Sub-Committee will make recommendations, among others, relating to regulation of micro-finance activities of NBFCespecially with regard to issues impinging on borrowers interests. The Sub-Committee is expected to submit its report by enJanuary 2011. A holistic view will be taken on issues relating to PSLCs and bank lending to MFIs under priority sector lendiafter the Malegam Sub-Committee submits its report.

Financial Inclusion Plan for Banks

83. Considering the objective of increasing banking outreach for financial inclusion, domestic scheduled commercial banboth in the public and private sectors, were advised, among others, to put in place a board approved three-year financinclusion plan (FIP) and submit the same to the Reserve Bank by March 2010. Domestic scheduled commercial banks havsince prepared and submitted their FIPs to the Reserve Bank. These plans have been discussed with major banks anrevised plans based on the discussions have been submitted by banks. To closely monitor the progress made implementation of these plans, a quarterly reporting format has been communicated to banks and the implementation of theplans is being closely monitored by the Reserve Bank.

Roadmap forProvision of Banking Services in Villages withPopulation of over 2000

84. In pursuance of the announcement made in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, the roadmap to provibanking services in every village with a population of over 2000 has been finalised by state level bankers committe

(SLBCs) and 73,113 unbanked identified villages as per 2001 Census have been allotted to various banks for provision banking services by March 2012. The time line for provision of banking services has been extended to March 2012 froMarch 2011 in line with the Finance Ministers announcement in the Union Budget 2010-11. March 2011 is retained as aintermediate target. The progress in the implementation of the roadmap is being discussed and closely monitored respective SLBCs.

Opening of Sub-Offices of the Reserve Bank in North-Eastern States

85. At present, the Reserve Bank has only one office at Guwahati to cater to the needs of all the North-Eastern state


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Over a period of time, while the population of these states and banking needs have increased significantly, bank branchhave not kept pace with the requirements in these areas. Considering the relative economic and infrastructural backwardneof these states and the need for financial inclusion and general economic development in these states, it has been decided:

y to open sub-offices of the Reserve Bank in the remaining six states of the north-east, viz., Arunachal Prades

Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya, in a phased manner.

Business Correspondents - Relaxations

86. In pursuance of the announcement made in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, the Reserve Bank issuguidelines in April 2010 permitting banks to engage any individual, including those operating common service centres (CSCas banking correspondents (BCs), subject to banks comfort level and their carrying out suitable due diligence as alinstituting additional safeguards as may be considered appropriate to minimise the agency risks. A discussion paper Engagement of for profit Companies as Business Correspondent was placed on the Reserve Banks website in Augu2010 inviting comments from the public by August 20, 2010. Taking into consideration the pros and cons and based on tfeedback received from various quarters, banks were permitted to engage companies registered under the Indian Compani

Act, 1956, excluding NBFCs, as BCs in addition to the individuals/entities permitted earlier, subject to compliance with tguidelines issued in September 2010.

Urban Co-operative Banks

Licenses for Setting up new Urban Co-operative Banks

87. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, an Expert Committee (Chairman: Shri Y. H. Malegam) wconstituted in October 2010 with representations from all stakeholders for studying the advisability of granting licenses setting up new urban co-operative banks (UCBs) under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 [as applicable to coperative socieities (AACS)]. The Committee is expected to submit its report in six months. The Committee will also look inthe feasibility of an umbrella organisation for the UCB sector.

Extension of Area of Operation of UCBs

88. In order to further facilitate the growth of well managed and financially sound UCBs, it is proposed:

y to withdraw the existing restrictions on granting multi-state status and extension of area of operation beyond the staof registration for such UCBs having a minimum net worth of`50 crore;

y to allow such UCBs which have acquired weak banks in other state(s) to extend the area of operation to the entstate of registration of the target bank provided they have minimum net worth of`50 crore; and

y to allow Tier II UCBs registered or deemed to be registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002extend area of operation to the entire state of original registration.


Liberalisation of Branch Licensing Policy for UCBs

90. In order to further liberalise the branch licensing policy for urban co-operative banks (UCBs), it is proposed:

y to allow well managed and financially sound UCBs to open branches and extension counters within thexisting/approved area of operation, beyond the current ceiling of 10 per cent as long as they have sufficieheadroom capital for each branch.



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Business Correspondents/Business Facilitator Model for UCBs

92. With a view to expanding the outreach of the UCBs, thereby furthering the objective of financial inclusion, it is propose

y to allow well managed and financially sound UCBs to engage business correspondents (BCs)/business facilitato(BFs) using information and communication technology (ICT) solutions.

Enhancement of Limits on Unsecured Loans and AdvancesGranted by UCBs

93. Keeping in view the growth in business of the UCBs over the years, it is proposed:

y to enhance the existing limits on individual unsecured loans and advances extended by the UCBs, which acomplying with the regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of 9 per cent, subject to the overall ceilinof 10 per cent of total assets.


Exposure of UCBs to Housing Loans

95. At present, UCBs can provide housing, real estate and commercial real estate loans up to 15 per cent of their deporesources as on March 31 of the previous year. It has now been decided to link housing, real estate and commercial reestate loans of UCBs to their total assets instead of deposits. Accordingly, it is proposed:

y to replace the existing limit of 15 per cent of deposits for housing, real estate and commercial real estate loans bylimit of 10 per cent of total assets; and

y an additional limit of 5 per cent of total assets will be available for housing loans granted to individuals by the UCfor purchase/construction of dwelling units up to `10 lakh.

Exemption from Share Linking to Borrowing Norm

96. It is mandatory for borrowers of UCBs to subscribe to the shares of the bank to the extent of 2.5-5.0 per cent of thborrowings. In order to provide flexibility to UCBs, which are already well capitalised to extend loans without adding to capitit is proposed:

y to exempt UCBs which maintain a minimum CRAR of 12 per cent on a continuous basis from the mandatory shalinking norms.

Access to INFINET Membership, Current/SGL Accounts with the Reserve Bank and RTGS Membership for UCBs

97. In order to enable UCBs to serve their customers better, it is proposed:

y to allow all licensed UCBs (other than those under all inclusive directions) the facility of Indian financial netwo(INFINET) membership, current and subsidiary general ledger (SGL) accounts with the Reserve Bank; and

y to allow real time gross settlement (RTGS) membership to only well managed and financially sound UCBs havingminimum net worth of`25 crore.

Customer Service

98. Pursuant to the announcement made in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, a Committee on CustomService (Chairman: Shri M. Damodaran) was constituted to look into banking services rendered to retail and small customeincluding pensioners. The Committee will also look into the system of grievance redressal mechanism prevalent in banks


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structure and efficacy and suggest measures for expeditious resolution of complaints. The Committee will also examine tinternational experiences in this regard. A need for conducting on-site inspection and rating banks on customer service will examined based on the outcome of the report of the Committee. The Committee is expected to submit its report by enJanuary 2011.

99. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, banks were advised in May 2010 to devote exclusive tim

in a Board meeting once in every six months to review and deliberate on customer service.

V. Regulatory and Supervisory Measures forCommercial Banks

Strengthening the Resilience of the Banking Sector

100. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), in response to the financial crisis, submitted a report to the G-in October 2010. Thereport contained the measures taken by the BCBS and its governing body - the Group of Central BaGovernors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS) - to strengthen the resilience of banks and the global banking system. The neglobal standards to address both bank-specific and broader systemic risks have been referred to as Basel III. Measursuggested under Basel III, among others, include revisions to the definition of regulatory capital, capital conservation buffecounter-cyclical buffer, the treatment of counterparty credit risk, the leverage ratio, and the global liquidity standards.

101. It may be recalled that the BCBS had issued in December 2009 two consultative documents for public commentsalso undertook a comprehensive quantitative impact study (QIS) and top-down calibration of minimum capital requirement. its July and September 2010 meetings, the GHOS broadly agreed on the overall design of the capital and liquidity reforpackage, based on the comments received, the QIS and top-down calibration. The fully calibrated Basel III rules will published by the BCBS by end-December 2010.

102. The Reserve Bank has been adopting the international best regulatory practices as appropriate to banks in IndBanks are, therefore, advised:

y to study the new developments and be in preparedness to meet the requirements; and

y to continue with the parallel run beyond March 31, 2010, as advised to them in April 2010, to ensure that their Baseminimum capital requirement continues to be higher than the prudential floor of 80 per cent of the minimum capi

requirement as per Basel I framework for credit and market risks. The parallel run should continue for a period three years, i.e., till March 31, 2013, subject to review.

Implementation of Advanced Approaches under Basel II Framework

103. The Reserve Bank had announced timeline for implementation of advanced approaches for computation of regulatocapital under the Basel II framework in India in July 2009. The guidelines for the standardised approach (TSA)/alternastandardised approach (ASA) for operational risk were issued in March 2010 and those for internal models approach (IMA) market risk were issued in April 2010. Guidelines for advanced measurement approach (AMA) for operational risk will finalised by December 2010. Guidelines for internal rating based approach for credit risk are under preparation.

Housing Loans by Commercial Banks

Loan to Value Ratio inHousing Loans

104. At present, there is no regulatory ceiling on the loan to value (LTV) ratio in respect of banks housing loan exposures.order to prevent excessive leveraging, it is proposed:

y that the LTV ratio in respect of housing loans hereafter should not exceed 80 per cent.


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RiskWeights on ResidentialHousing Loans

105. At present, the risk weights on residential housing loans with LTV ratio up to 75 per cent are 50 per cent for loans up`30 lakh and 75 per cent for loans above that amount. In case the LTV ratio is more than 75 per cent, the risk weight of ahousing loans, irrespective of the amount of loan, is 100 per cent. Accordingly, it is proposed:

y to increase the risk weight for residential housing loans of`75 lakh and above, irrespective of the LTV ratio, to 125 pcent.

Teaser Rates forHousing Loans

106. It has been observed that some banks are following the practice of sanctioning housing loans at teaser rates, wherethe loans are offered at a comparatively lower rate of interest in the first few years, after which rates are reset at higher rateThis practice raises concern as some borrowers may find it difficult to service the loans once the normal interest rate, whichhigher than the rate applicable in the initial years, becomes effective. It has been observed that many banks at the time initial loan appraisal do not take into account the repaying capacity of the borrower at normal lending rates. In view of thigher risk associated with such loans, it is proposed:

y

to increase the standard asset provisioning by commercial banks for all such loans to 2 per cent.

Banks Investments in Non-FinancialCompanies

107. Under the extant prudential framework, banks are not required to obtain prior approval of the Reserve Bank investment in companies other than financial services companies. Banks may be able to exercise control on such entitithrough their direct or indirect holdings or have significant influence over them. Thus, banks may indirectly undertake activitinot permitted to them under Sub-section (1) of Section 6 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 or activities which are nconducive to the spread of banking in India or otherwise useful or necessary in the public interest. Therefore, it is proposed:

y to stipulate prudential limits to regulate the investments of banks in companies engaged in forms of business oththan financial services. Banks will be required to review their investments in such companies and be compliant wthe guidelines as per the roadmap to be laid down.


Prudential Norms on FinancialConglomerates

109. The Reserve Bank had constituted an Internal Group on the Supervision of Financial Conglomerates (FCs) in India. TInternal Group had made various recommendations for strengthening the supervision of the FCs, including changes in certaregulatory norms. The Annual Policy Statement of April 2009 indicated that the Reserve Bank was examining trecommendations of the Group from the regulatory and supervisory perspectives. To start with, it has been decided:

y to implement the recommendations of the Group on (i) capital adequacy for FCs; and(ii) intra-group transactions aexposures in FCs.

Capital Adequacy for FCs

110. As per Basel II framework, investments in the equity of subsidiaries or significant minority investments in bankinsecurities and other financial entities, where control does not exist, together with other regulatory capital investment in theentities are required to be excluded from the banking groups capital if these entities are not consolidated. The Grorecommended that the threshold of significant influence/investment may be fixed at 20 per cent instead of the present 30 pcent. Accordingly, it is proposed:


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y that the entire investments in the paid up equity of the entities (including insurance entities), where such investmeexceeds 20 per cent of the paid up equity of such entities shall be deducted at 50 per cent from Tier I and 50 per cefrom Tier II capital when these are not consolidated for capital purposes with the bank. In addition, entire investmenin other instruments eligible for regulatory capital status in these entities shall also be deducted at 50 per cent froTier I and 50 per cent from Tier II capital; and

y the deductions indicated above will also be applicable while computing capital adequacy ratio of the bank on a so

basis.

111. The capital adequacy requirement will be further calibrated after finalisation of the Basel III rules, as indicated earlier.

Intra-Group Transactions and Exposures in FCs

112. In order to limit the inter-connectedness between the bank and other group entities, it is proposed:

y to put in place an appropriate limit for such transactions and exposures, both for a single entity and on an aggregabasis for all other group entities.


Principles for EnhancingCorporate Governance in Banking Organisations

114. The BCBS in October 2010 issued Principles for Enhancing CorporateGovernancefor banking organisations. TPrinciples address fundamental deficiencies in bank corporate governance that became apparent during the financial crisTaking into account different categories of banking organisations in India, the Reserve Bank has been taking appropriasteps to improve corporate governance standards in banks. Implementations of fit and proper criteria for directors on thboards of banks and splitting of post of the Chairman and Managing Director in private sectors banks as per trecommendations of the Ganguly Committee (2002) are some of the notable steps taken by the Reserve Bank in this directiin the recent past, which have improved standard of corporate governance. However, a review of thecorporate governanstandard in the banks is necessitated in the light of the principles issued by the BCBS. Accordingly, it is proposed:

y to take appropriate steps to fully align the corporate governance practices in banks in India with the principl

enunciated by the BCBS.


Working Group on Valuation Adjustment and Treatment of IlliquidPositions

116. It was indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 to constitute a Working Group to recommend appropriate framework for valuation adjustment for various risks/costs and treatment of illiquid positions. AccordinglyWorking Group (Co-ordinator: Shri P. R. Ravi Mohan) was set up in June 2010 with members drawn from the Reserve BanIBA, FIMMDA, Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India (FEDAI) and select banks. The Working Group submitted report in September 2010. The Group has given recommendations on a wide range of issues, including identification of illiqupositions, adjustment for illiquidity and valuation adjustment for unearned credit spread and closeout costs for the derivatiportfolio of banks. The recommendations of the Group are under examination.

Convergence of Indian Accounting Standards with International Financial Reporting Standards

117. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, a Working Group (Chairman: Shri P. R. Ravi Mohan) wconstituted to address the implementation issues and facilitate formulation of operational guidelines in the context convergence of Indian Accounting Standards with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and prepabanking and NBFCs and UCBs to adhere to the roadmap of implementation. As per the roadmap, all scheduled commercbanks will convert their opening balance sheet as on April 1, 2013 in compliance with the accounting standards converg


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with the IFRS. As regards NBFCs and UCBs, a gradualist approach has been adopted.

Introduction of Bank Holding Company/Financial Holding Company in India

118. In pursuance of the announcement made in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, a Working gro(Chairperson: Smt. Shyamala Gopinath) has been constituted to examine the introduction of a holding company structu

together with the required legislative amendment/framework. The work is in progress.

CompensationPractices

119. In line with the steps taken by the global community and the initiatives taken by G-20 nations, draft guidelines for privasector banks and foreign banks with regard to sound compensation policy were framed and placed on the Reserve Banwebsite in July 2010 for public comments. These guidelines are largely based on the FSBs principles on sound compensatipractices. The guidelines cover effective governance of compensation, alignment of compensation with prudent risk-takiand disclosures for whole time directors/chief executive officers, risk takers of banks as well as staff in the audit, complianand risk management functions. Comments received from various banks/organisations/individuals are being examine

Accordingly, it is proposed:

y

to issue final guidelines on compensation practices by end-December 2010.

Licensing of New banks

120. The Honble Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2010-11 had mentioned that the Reserve Bank would considgiving some additional bank licences to private sector players. Consequently, the Monetary Policy Statement of April 20indicated that a discussion paper would be prepared marshalling the international practices, the Indian experience as also textant ownership and governance (O&G) guidelines for placing it on the Reserve Banks website by end-July 2010 for widcomments and feedback, after which the guidelines will be finalised. Accordingly, the discussion paper was put in pubdomain in August 2010. Based on the comments and suggestions received from various parties and discussions held wmajor stakeholders in October 2010, i t is proposed:

y to put the draft guidelines in public domain by end-January 2011 for public comments.

Presence of Foreign Banks in India

121. It was indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 that drawing lessons from the crisis, a discussion papon the mode of presence of foreign banks through branch or wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS) would be prepared September 2010. Accordingly, a discussion paper in consultation with the Government on the form of presence of foreibanks in India is in final stages of preparation.

Capacity Building in Banks

122. Banks should gear themselves up to meet various challenges in the coming years. In particular, the implementation Basel III by all banks, the need for large and internationally active banks to move to the advanced approaches under Baseand convergence with IFRS as on April 1, 2013 would require banks to upgrade their technology and risk managemecapabilities. Banks should undertake a review of the skills required and take up capacity building in right earnest and in a timbound manner. The Reserve Bank will also intensify its efforts in this regard by undertaking more capacity buildiprogrammes for the banking sector in the coming years.

Information Technology and Related Issues: Enhancement to the Guidelines

123. It was proposed in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010 to set up a Working Group on information securelectronic banking, technology risk management, and tackling cyber frauds. Accordingly, a Working Group on Electron


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Banking, Controls, Governance and Technology Risk Management Standards (Chairman: Shri G. Gopalakrishna) wconstituted. The recommendations of the sub-groups on technology, governance, operational issues, legal and educationaspects set up by the Group were discussed by the Working Group and are now being formalised. The Working Group likely to finalise its report by end-November 2010.

VI. Institutional Developments

Payment and Settlement Systems

Membership to the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems

124. India became a member of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) constituted under the aegisthe Bank for International Settlements (BIS). The Reserve Bank is represented on four Working Groups of CPSS, viz.,

General Review of Standards; (ii) Repo Market Infrastructure; (iii) Post Trade Services; and (iv) Retail Payment Systems.

Standardisation of Security Features on Cheque Forms

125. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, a cheque truncation system (CTS)-2010 standard w

benchmark specifications for security features on cheques and field placements on cheque forms has been prescribed. TCTS-2010 standard, inter alia, included a prescription prohibiting alterations/corrections on cheque forms. It has since beclarified that the prescription is applicable only to cheques cleared under the image-based cheque truncation system and wbe effective December 1, 2010. The prescription will not be applicable to cheques cleared under magnetic ink charactrecognition (MICR) clearing, non-MICR clearing, OTC collection (for cash payment) or direct collection of cheques outside tclearing house arrangement.

126. The IBA and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have been jointly vested with the responsibility implementation of the new cheque standards.

Operationalisation of National Payments Corporation of India

127. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, the NPCI has the envisioned role to look at futu

innovations in the retail payment space in the country. The NPCI has implemented a pilot project for settlement of inter-bamobile payments. Further, the roll-out of the grid-based cheque truncation system (CTS) project at Chennai is likely to operationalised by the end of March2011.

Performance of National Electronic Funds Transfer System

128. As at end-July 2010, around 70,000 branches of 98 banks had participated in the national electronic funds trans(NEFT) system and the volume of transactions processed increased to 9.5 million in July 2010.

Automated Data Flow from Banks

129. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, a Core Group consisting of experts from banks, t

Reserve Bank, the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) and the IBA has been constitutfor preparing an approach paper on automated data flow (a straight through process) from the core banking solution (CBS)other IT systems of commercial banks to the Reserve Bank. The Core Group has prepared an approach paper, which deawith automated data flow from banks to the Reserve Bank. The paper, inter alia, discusses the methodology to be adopted banks to classify themselves into a cluster based on its technology and process dimensions. Based on this, estimatetimelines for achieving complete automation of submission of returns have also been furnished. The approach paper is beiexamined and it is expected to be circulated to the banks for necessary action at their end.

130. The approach suggested for banks will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, banks would be required


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ensure seamless flow of data from their transaction server to their management information system (MIS) server and generaall returns from the MIS server automatically, without any manual intervention. In the second phase, the Reserve Bank wouintroduce a pull mechanism for the flow of data from the MIS server of banks in a straight through process. The timeline of tentire project will be determined in consultation with banks.

Real Time Gross Settlement System

131. The Indian RTGS has displayed tremendous growth in both transactions volume and the values that it has beprocessing since its inception in March 2004. With the increased number of electronic payment transactions, it has becomexpedient to position the Indian RTGS system primarily for processing and settling large value payment orders. Further, tReserve Bank has set up a robust retail electronic funds transfer system in the form of NEFT, with near real-time settlemefinality with 11 settlement cycles in a day. Accordingly, it has been decided, in consultation with system participants:

y to increase the threshold limit for RTGS transactions from the present limit of`1 lakh to `2 lakh.

132. As a further incentive to customers to move their transactions to NEFT, a new value band in the `1 lakh to `2 lakh will created, with customers having to pay lower charges vis--vis RTGS transactions.

133. The detailed guidelines in this regard will be issued separately.

134. As indicated in the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2010, a Working Group comprising representatives from tReserve Bank and select commercial banks, viz., SBI, PNB, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank was constituted for preparing approach for implementation of next generation RTGS. The Group submitted its report in August 2010, which has since beaccepted. The implementation of the next generation RTGS system is in progress, which may take about two years fcompletion.

Cheque Truncation System

135. The CTS was successfully implemented in the National Capital Region of New Delhi in February 2008. Followicomplete migration to CTS, the separate MICR clearing was discontinued from July 2009. The CTS, on an averagprocesses over 0.5 million instruments per day. The next roll out of CTS is planned for March 2011 at Chennai, with t

project being implemented by the NPCI. The process of roll out will be a grid-based approach to cover the clearing houses the other cities of Tamil Nadu and the adjoining states of Kerala and Karnataka. Simultaneously, efforts are underway establish common disaster recovery (DR) arrangements for both New Delhi and Chennai CTS operations.

Currency Management

136. Banks were mandated to use Note Sorting Machines in all their branches having average daily cash receipts of`1 croand above by March 2010. As of now, 1,108 branches (other than currency chest branches) have been identified haviaverage daily cash receipt of `1 crore and above. Banks have reported that Note Sorting Machines have been installed amade operational in 669 branches. For the remaining branches, banks have made arrangements with the nearest currenchest branch/currency administration branch. It was also indicated in the Second Quarter Review of October 2009 that banshould use such machines in all their branches having average daily cash receipts between `50 lakh and `1 crore by Mar

2011. Banks are expected to enhance their efforts to reach this position by March 31, 2011.

137. As indicated in the Second Quarter Review of October 2009, banks were advised to have the responsibility of currenmanagement entrusted to a nodal official of the rank not less than that of a General Manager and will be accountable for tobligations cast upon currency chests by the Reserve Bank. All commercial banks have since appointed nodal officers.

MumbaiNovember 2, 2010

rbi mon policy 2010 nov

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